Yale Morgan, Lorraine Pyefinch, Matty and Trace among Bundaberg’s most influential
They’re the 40 biggest movers, shakers and makers of our region in 2021. After weeks of consultation and debate, here are the next 40 people to make the list of the most influential and powerful in Bundaberg.
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They’re the movers, shakers and makers of our region.
We kicked off on Monday with the first 10 people to be named one of the Bundaberg region’s Most Influential of 2021.
On Tuesday, we revealed the next 10 and now the final 20 can be revealed - the men and women who wielded the most power and influence in our region this year.
This list is an inverted triangle - you will find the most powerful and influential as you scroll down. Remember, it is a subjective talking point, not a scientific guide. We welcome feedback from the public.
#40. JB and Jules
Justin Bell and Julia Greenhalf, AKA JB and Jules, are the powerhouse behind Bundy‘s 93.1 Triple M breakfast show.
When they are not recalling hilarious stories for their listeners, they’re busy showcasing the region’s tourism offerings, including through their recent ’Staycation’ campaign, highlighting some of Bundy’s best visitor experiences.
#39. Carly Clark
In 2017, Splitters Farm owner Carly Clark transformed a run-down 160-acre (65ha) lot at Sharon into a safe haven for abused and neglected farm animals.
Her sanctuary includes overnight camping and glamping facilities for visitors and is a local family favourite.
#38. Matty and Trace
Radio power duo Matthew Ambrose and Tracey Sergiacomi, better known as Matty and Trace, are the fun and frivolous voices behind Bundy‘s Hitz939FM.
From birthday shout-outs to donations through their Helping Hands campaign, the radio hosts are always finding ways to stay connected to their listeners and give back to the local Bundaberg community.
#37. Sharyn Banks
Red Collar Rescue founder Sharyn Banks established the not-for-profit organisation in 2009 with the aim of providing temporary refuge and new homes for abandoned, abused, unwanted and death row dogs.
Sharyn and her team have rehomed more than 3200 dogs that would have otherwise been euthanised.
#36. Graham Crowden
RSL Sub-Branch Bundaberg president Graham Crowden served in the Defence Force from 1975-1999. He devotes his time to a number of annual RSL events and initiatives including Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
#35. Frank and Lorraine Pyefinch
Frank and Lorraine Pyefinch are the directors and founders of medical software giant Best Practice Software.
They also developed and sold Medical Director, which industry think tanks recently estimated cold be worth up to a billion dollars.
Ms Pyefinch also served as Bundaberg mayor from 2008-13.
#34. Luke Sinclair
Luke Sinclair is responsible for the business development and growth of CQUniversity in the Gladstone and Wide Bay Burnett regions, fostering opportunities for regional engagement and research, and overseeing the pastoral care of students and staff.
In addition to his AVP duties, Luke works within the Learning and Teaching Services area managing Academic Pathways and Engagement which encompasses overseeing the credit and articulation applications and agreements with students and other institutions, as well as the implementation of a university-wide approach to work-integrated learning.
#33. Sue Tasker
In 2015, Sue Tasker‘s dream of creating a place that would help others began to take shape when Angel’s Community Group was born.
Sue’s not-for-profit work includes Angel’s Mini Mart and Angel’s Second To None, which sell low-cost goods and gives away free food and furniture to those in need.
#32. Teena Mammino
In 1996, Anthony and Teena Mammino started selling macadamia nuts on a roadside stall. When Teena decided to try adding the tasty nuts to her grandma‘s old-style ice cream recipe, the Mammino Gourmet Ice Cream dream was born.
A huge list of flavours would be added to the list, including ’red dirt’ and avocado. It’s a popular treat at the region’s tourist hot spots and has even been featured at the Ekka.
While Teena no longer owns Mammino‘s, she is as active as ever in the community.
Not only is she the deputy chair of Bundaberg Tourism, but she’s also the Childers Chamber of Commerce president.
#31. Yale Morgan
Yale Morgan has a long history of working in business and is the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce president. He is also the owner of the Optus store at Sugarland.
Previously, his roles have included coaching and consulting, being a successful Harvey Norman franchisee for nearly 15 years, and founder of The Baby Superstore, Yale Morgan Consulting and Better Business Wide Bay.
#30. Dan McMahon
Shalom College principal Dan McMahon has contributed 32 years of leadership service to Catholic Education in Queensland.
One of his recent achievements was overseeing and implementing the Shalom College Solar Farm facilities in conjunction with GEM Energy to educate students about renewable energy.
The farm is the largest private education facility in Australia and is and 100 per cent renewable energy reliant.
#29. Martin Barrett
Local Auswide Bank CEO since 2013, Martin Barrett makes the list at #29.
Martin has experience across diverse banking institutions, nationally and internationally, including senior executive roles in retail, commercial, corporate and specialist banking areas.
The company is front and centre on the Queensland Maroons jersey as one of the major sponsors.
In the first half of the 2021 financial year the bank recorded record annualised loan book growth of 13.4 per cent and customer deposits grew by more than 10 per cent.
In November, the Mozo Experts Choice Award for Personal Loans in 2021 were announced, with Auswide Bank named a winner in the Car Loan category.
#28. Alan Cooper
Alan Cooper’s lengthy career at The Friendlies Society Private Hospital started as the Director of Nursing in 1998, before moving into a CEO role with the hospital in 2007.
Mr Cooper recently announced his retirement as CEO effective July 2022, with the Friendlies website paying tribute to his long service.
“We thank him wholeheartedly for his contribution to this 100-year-old institute that makes such a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the residents of the Bundaberg and Wide Bay communities,” it said.
#27. Craig Merritt
Craig Merritt has contributed more than 29 years to Anglican Education in Queensland.
The St Luke’s Anglican College principal has spent more than four years pioneering a “positive learning experience” at St Luke’s, which was named the best in Bundaberg for 2020 by Better Education.
“We were honoured to be acknowledged in such a way,” Mr Merritt told the NewsMail.
“It’s very intentional to have a focus on really positive learning.
“It’s a natural outcome of what we do as a holistic Christian school.”
#26. Mark Pressler
Mark Pressler has been growing Sugarcane in the Bundaberg region for more than 30 years and is the chairman of Bundaberg Canegrowers.
Mr Pressler was a director of Bundaberg Canegrowers for eight years before being elected chairman.
As well as his role at Canegrowers, Mr Pressler serves as a director at the Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group.
#25. Brooke Fossey
Brooke Fossey has been the executive manager of Regional Business HQ since November 2020.
Ms Fossey has extensive experience in government and private enterprise, with a strong background in business development, communication, engagement and marketing activities as well as managing tenders and bids.
With experience across the infrastructure, construction, energy and government sectors, she provides helps clients succeed by implementing targeted strategies tailored to key stakeholders.
Ms Fossey is passionate about supporting and promoting the local business community and represents Queensland on the Business Enterprise Centres of Australia Board.
She’s also active in her children’s school and Moore Park Beach nippers.
#24. Duncan Littler
Bundaberg Rum’s Marketing and Experience Manager Duncan Littler oversaw Bundaberg Rum’s million-dollar expansion of its visitor experience and museum at the distillery.
Leading the iconic brand on the ground, Mr Littler has been influential in bringing more tourists to the region and spreading Bundaberg’s name nationally and around the world.
Despite a global pandemic, the beloved and iconic brand continued to go from strength to strength, releasing new brews and helping out venues around the country with its $11.5 million Raising the Bar initiative.
#23. Dr Linc Harris
Ripe Global Digital Dentistry CEO and Harris Dental Boutique principal dentist Dr Lincoln Harris is highly respected by the global dental community for his vast clinical and business knowledge.
The local private dentist launched RipeGlobal last year, an online platform connecting students and teachers around the world to hands-on dental training which landed him a Bundaberg Council Business of the Year Award for 2021.
RipeGlobal also won the Hinkler Innovation Award at this year’s Hinkler Innovation Series breakfast.
#22. Senior Sergeant Michael McGarry
Bundaberg Police Officer in Charge Michael McGarry arrived in Bundaberg in 2018.
In his first year in the job, the number of domestic violence cases fell by 50 instances.
Senior Sergeant McGarry has also filled the role of acting inspector at times.
He has continued to deliver road safety messages to locals around the region, especially around holiday periods, and the impacts crashes have on emergency services on scene.
#21. John McLean
Overseeing one of Bundaberg’s biggest brands and family-owned companies is John McLean, CEO of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.
For generations, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has delivered some of the state’s favourite drinks and is being recognised around the world with its product exports.
As well as bringing tourists to the famous Bundaberg Barrel, the company will undergo a major expansion with the construction if its super brewery at Thabeban.
The project is expected to see at least 213 jobs created in construction and 147 ongoing jobs once the project is completed.
#20. Rick Prosser
What started as a humble family business became an award-winning success for Rick Prosser, who founded the family-owned Kalki Moon Distilling and Brewing Company in Bundaberg in 2017.
Since its inception, Kalki Moon has won numerous awards for its gin, rum, vodka and liqueurs.
#19. Greensill Family
Roy Greensill began his sugarcane farm in 1945 at his home in Qunaba.
The third-generation farming operation now headed by Roy‘s son, Lloyd, has grown to become a large-scale agribusiness covering more than 8000 acres (3237ha), primarily supplying sweet potatoes and sugarcane.
The Greensill Farming empire is made up of Lloyd, Judy, Peter, Lex and Andrew.
18. Tanya O’Shea
IMPACT Community Services CEO Tanya O’Shea has more than 18 years experience working in the NFP sector.
IMPACT provides much-needed employment, disability and training services in the Wide Bay Burnett region, with more than 4000 people benefiting from their services.
Under Tanya’s leadership, IMPACT Community Services has won several awards in acknowledgment of the organisation’s community outreach and excellence.
#17. Kerry Blackman
Bundaberg‘s Gidarjil managing director Dr Kerry Blackman is a Traditional Owner and proud descendant of the Gurang and Gooreng Gooreng peoples.
Gidarjil is an Indigenous organisation seeking to help Indigenous Australians participate in the wealth and prosperity of the broader Australian economy in the Bundaberg and Gladstone regions.
In his role, Dr Blackman has been actively involved in securing the Land and Sea Ranger Program, Caring for Country, and Green Army projects.
#16. Bill Moorhead
Property development mogul Bill Moorhead of Moorehead Family Communities has developed several of the Bundaberg region‘s community estates, including the brand new Bargara Headlands Estate at Innes Park.
He’s also involved in the local sporting community as the proud owner of Bundy Big Bash team, the Headlands Pies.
#15. Steve Johnston
A former State Government advisor, Steve Johnston was appointed to the CEO role of Bundaberg Regional Council in late 2016.
He is in control of the council’s massive workforce and budget, which affects the lives of every citizen in the Bundaberg region.
Mr Johnston is the former Bundaberg Regional Council deputy CEO and Isis Shire Council CEO.
Before joining the council he was the deputy director-general at the Department of Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning.
#14. Inspector Anne Vogler
Inspector of Bundaberg Police Patrol Group since 2020, Anne Vogler oversees the Rum City and its smaller country communities.
Inspector Vogler draws on her strong values, leadership and team building skills, acquired throughout her life, to manage this geographically challenging policing environment.
She has been formally recognised through presentation of a Queensland Police Exemplary Conduct Medal – Investigations, for her service to the QPS.
Insp Vogler continues to be an advocate for serving police and youth pursuing sporting excellence.
She is a board member of the Play for a Cure Foundation raising money for cancer research.
13. Stephen Bennett
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett was elected to Parliament in 2012, to represent an area covering Bundaberg’s surrounding areas including Childers, Bargara, Miriam Vale, Agnes Water and the Town of Seventeen-Seventy areas.
Mr Bennett has held many shadow portfolios, including Child Safety, Youth, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Veterans and Housing and Public Works.
He has been a strong advocate for local health, road safety, Paradise Dam and opposing the Fox Resources MDL3040.
12. Shelley Strachan
Editor Shelley Strachan in 2021 became News Corp’s Wide Bay Editor, overseeing news teams and setting the news agenda in Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
As editor of The Gympie Times for five years, she oversaw its successful migration to digital and its continued growth in terms of audience and page views.
The Wide Bay mastheads of Bundaberg NewsMail, Fraser Coast Chronicle and The Gympie Times are read by well over 100,000 people each week, and have a combined Facebook following of more than 104,000 people, and reach of more than 700,000. She is focused now on increasing and improving the quality of local news coverage across the Wide Bay.
A mother of four and passionate advocate for her home patch, Ms Strachan has earned multiple PANPA Community News Brand of the Year awards, and the coveted News Corp Achievements in Regional Journalism award.
#11. Deborah Carroll
Deborah has worked in the public health sector for more than 40 years and has held leadership roles across several health facilities throughout Queensland.
Deborah completed her general nurse training in 1981 at Mackay Base Hospital, and later gained a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) with Distinction from Central Queensland University in 1995, a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing and endorsement as a Rural and Isolated Practice registered nurse.
Deborah held several senior positions in north and central Queensland health services, in which she oversaw the introduction of new models of care and clinical governance advances, and the successful completion of several large capital works projects.
Deborah joined WBHHS in 2006 as Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services.
She was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2014, and appointed Chief Executive in May 2020.
In her spare time, Debbie enjoys trying to relax on the weekends including playing golf and catching up with her children and grandchildren when able, who live elsewhere in Queensland.
#10. Chern’ee Sutton
After entering and winning her first art competition at 13, local indigenous artist Chern‘ee Sutton hasn’t looked back.
Ms Sutton is passionate about sharing her culture and history with the world through her beautiful and intricate artworks, bringing a stronger appreciation and compassionate understanding of Aboriginal people.
She is a proud Kalkadoon woman and Aboriginal artist originally from Mount Isa who is passionate about her culture and history and wants to share that with the rest of the world through her art.
Her unique style combines two worlds of traditional Aboriginal heritage with a modern contemporary twist which has caught the eyes of collectors around the world, including Royalty and the 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi.
Ms Sutton has her artwork hanging in The Royal Collection in Buckingham Palace, Queensland Parliament House, Queensland State Library and has exhibited her artworks in London, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney.
Her artworks have been commissioned by The Queensland Government, Tennis Australia, The National Rugby League, The Royal Australian Mint, Dreamworld Theme Park, The 2018 Commonwealth Games, Rainforestation, The Australian Defence Force, Northrop Grumman, The Australian Department of Veteran Affairs and The Australian Public Service Commission to name a few.
Due toMs Sutton’s passion for reconciliation and equality she has received numerous accolades including National NAIDOC Youth of The Year, Australia Day Awards for 2013 and 2014, Queensland Pride of Australia Award, Local NAIDOC Awards including Artist of the Year and has been an Australia Day Ambassador for the past six years.
She has designed the NRL’s Indigenous All Stars jerseys for four years, the most recent being 2021, and has just launched a new circulating and uncirculated Indigenous Military Service $2 coin which she designed and which features her artwork in partnership with The Australian Defence Force and The Royal Australian Mint.
$9. The Jerry and Steinhardt families
The Jerry and Steinhardt families are well-known in the agriculture sector.
They own Bundaberg’s Macadamias Australia, which gone from strength to strength.
The Steinhardt family has a 60-year history of growing produce in the Bundaberg region, having started out with peanuts, corn, tobacco, sugar cane and a variety of vegetables.
In 1980, they moved into large scale production of tomatoes and zucchinis and in 2004, they planted macadamias.
Now they have more than 220,000 trees and will harvest about 3000 tonnes of nut-in-shell each year.
In July 2021, the company unveiled its new $25 million cracking facility.
The facility was built with growth in mind and to be able to process 9000 tonnes of macadamias.
Macadamias Australia also opened its new tourism centre and cafe in 2021.
The family also owns Farmfresh Fine Foods which will undergo a $4.3 million expansion.
The project will allow the company to value add to its range of roasted frozen products, pureed and pickled vegetables.
#8. Tom Marland
Bundaberg lawyer Tom Marland is well known for his Food for Thought and Thought for Food facebook page, where he shares his views on rural and regional issues.
Mr Marland has, along with many other people in the community, has been vocal about the implications of the lowering of Paradise Dam’s spillway on local farmers.
He is also leading a class action against SunWater and the State Government on behalf of farmers around the region to “recoup the billions of dollars of lost production that will occur because of the lowering of Paradise Dam”.
#7. Col Limpus
Founding co-ordinator for Mon Repos turtle research program, Col Limpus has been a leader in the conservation of sea turtles for more than 50 years.
Last year, he was recognised with an Order of Australia medal for his dedication to turtle research and conservation efforts.
He is now the chief scientific officer in the Department of Environment and Science Queensland‘s threatened species unit.
#6. Peta Jamieson
Growing up in the Wide Bay as part of a well-known farming family, Ms Jamieson, after gaining extensive experience in Queensland State Government, Brisbane City Council, Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), and consultancies, returned to Bundaberg with her young family with a desire to give back to the community.
Peta completed bachelor and postgraduate qualifications and is a Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She is a strong advocate for the Bundaberg and Wide Bay Burnett region delivering a range of economic development, leadership and advocacy services for the public and private sectors.
Peta has also featured in a number of local campaigns to encourage businesses and professionals to move to Bundaberg.
In 2016, Peta was appointed Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board and is the longest serving, having been appointed by three different health ministers.
Peta is also a Director for the Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) and a member of its Governance and People Committee and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Peta has also been a Director of the YMCA and a local arts organisation, and is on the Wide Bay Burnett LifeFlight Advisory Committee.
#5. Bree Grima
Bree Grima was born into a local farming family and understands first-hand the value of hard work and resilience.
As managing director for Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers for more than five and a half years, Ms Grima brings strongy connections and farming knowledge to the horticulture industry in the Wide Bay Burnett.
Ms Grima also holds representative positions with the Queensland Horticulture Council, Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett, Regional Business HQ, SunWater Irrigators Advisory Committee and Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Advisory Committee.
Tinaberries owner and local grower Tina McPherson said Ms Grima had been a voice for the region‘s farmers struggling through the Covid pandemic.
“Bree is incredibly approachable and empathetic and because she comes from a local farming family, she really understands what people are going through which has been vitally important at this time,” she said.
“She‘s tirelessly advocating for growers on a whole range of issues - whether we’re fighting for water for the region or whether we’re looking at the greater issues of labour for the whole of horticulture, she’s across all of those things.
“It’s a great privilege to have somebody who is actually fighting for you and someone who you can pick up the phone and call at any point.
“As growers, we are very, very fortunate to have her in our corner fighting for us.”
#4. Keith Pitt
Hinkler MP Keith Pitt has been the elected member for the Hinkler electorate, which includes Bundaberg and surrounding areas, since 2013.
Re-elected in 2016 and 2019, Mr Pitt has seen some big projects around the region in his time.
2019 saw the Cashless Debit Card introduced, which was one of his signature policies.
He has also overseen the Hinkler Regional Deal, which has funded some of the region’s biggest projects.
Another one of his successes was seeing the ex-HMAS Tobruk scuttled to become a dive site.
During his time as Hinkler MP, Mr Pitt has also held key roles in government.
In 2018, he was Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister.
In 2020, he received his first cabinet appointment and was made Resources, Water and Northern Australia Minister until July.
His title then changed to Resources and Water Minister.
#3. Jack Dempsey
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey is a familiar face around the region.
He’s been a police officer, an MP and a police minister, and now he continues his advocacy for the region as Mayor and has done so since 2016.
Some of the projects Mr Dempsey has been a big advocate for include the Bundaberg Jobs Commitment and the Bundaberg East Flood Levee.
He was also the first political leader in Australia to apologise to the Pacific Islander community for the practice of blackbirding.
Division 8 councillor Steve Cooper described the Mayor as someone with a heart “bigger than Phar Lap’s”.
“Jack Dempsey is an inspirational leader. He has the rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. He’s equally at home with captains of industry, blue-collar workers, academics, school kids and seniors,” he said.
“Jack’s been known to spontaneously break into song, tell Dad jokes and hug the person he just met.
“Jack’s a fierce advocate for the Bundaberg region and especially for disadvantaged members of our community.
“The Bundaberg Jobs Commitment is a signature Jack Dempsey initiative, connecting young people with employers to grow skills and confidence. It’s already delivered results by increasing levels of engagement, helping to end the cycle of chronic unemployment.
“This year, Jack was the first political leader in Australia to apologise for the terrible past practice of blackbirding, which was effectively slavery in disguise.
“On the day he did this, it was moving to see the tears and feel the warmth of reconciliation from Pacific Islanders and their descendants.
“Jack is passionate to stop climate change and he led council to set targets for net-zero emissions and to plant more trees.
“He’s a unique leader who genuinely cares for people and the community.”
#2. Katherine Reid
Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid has been the driving force behind the region‘s visitor offerings since October 2015.
And she’s leading the charge in the recovery of the region’s tourism industry after the pandemic.
Before joining Bundaberg Tourism, Ms Reid spent 17 years championing tourism in the Agnes/Water 1770 community where she won numerous awards for Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Eco-tourism, Visitor Attraction and a Tourism Champion Award as the owner and operator of 1770 LARC tours.
Splitters Farm Owner and Operator Carly Clark said Ms Reid went above and beyond to support and encourage local tourism operators.
“Katherine has a genuine understanding of the risks and pressures of our industry having been an operator herself for so many years,” she said.
“During Covid the goalposts moved, and she was able to realign her entire workforce to care and kindness roles so that operators felt supported and informed, armed with the information they needed to navigate our way out the other side.
“She’s a true advocate and a massive asset. As operators, we have received so many opportunities to showcase our region.”
#1. Tom Smith
Bundaberg MP Tom Smith has taken the top spot on our Most Influential list after a busy first year representing his electorate.
Since being elected by one of the closest margins in the state, Mr Smith has helped secure funding for upgrades to major roads, big infrastructure projects and even helped the push for an NRL game to be played in the Rum City.
Mr Smith also helped with the push to oppose the proposed mineral development licence MDL3040, on which the government has made a preliminary decision.
A Large Aerial Tanker has also been based in Bundaberg during the bushfire season while Mr Smith has been elected.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described Mr Smith as a “hardworking local member” and “valued part” of her team.
“I was in Bundaberg just a couple of months ago with Tom for the arrival of the Large Aerial Tanker firefighting aircraft where it is now based for the next four bushfire seasons,” she said.
“This is a great asset for the region and one I know Tom supported to help keep the community safe.
“I know delivering local world-class health services is a top priority for Tom who has been a strong advocate for the new hospital which we’re delivering for Wide Bay.
“Tom continues to be passionate about road safety in his community, that’s why we’re investing $40 million to upgrade the Isis Highway and Goodwood Road and $3.5 million to upgrade Princess Street and Bargara Road easing congestion on one of Bundaberg’s busiest roads. He’s also secured $3.6 million for a new bus station along Takalvan Street to start in April.
“As a former teacher Tom has always put education front and centre and continues to campaign for improved education facilities in the region.
“I know that he is also incredibly proud to have been able to secure the first ever NRL Premiership match for competition points in Bundaberg to be played by the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys in season 2022.
“Tom has been a welcome addition to my government and has been a constant advocate for the needs of his community and continues to be dedicated to delivering locally for the people of Bundaberg.”
See Gympie’s list of most influential here.
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